NEW POLL:
MOST ALABAMIANS SAY RACIAL PROFILING IS A PROBLEM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

AUBURN 
Fifty-four percent of Alabamians surveyed believe that racial profiling
by local law enforcement officers occurs at least occasionally and 60
percent disapprove of the practice.

These are
among the findings of a recent Ask Alabama public opinion survey, conducted
by the Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University. Ask Alabama
releases periodic results of quarterly polls on topics of interest to
Alabamians.

According
to Ask Alabamas January telephone survey of 629 Alabama residents,
33 percent of minorities believe that racial profiling is widespread,
compared to only 14 percent of non-minorities. Minorities are more than
five times as likely as non-minorities to report personal or family experiences
of being stopped by a police officer because of their racial or ethnic
background.

Many
more in Alabamas minority communities believe that racial or ethnic
profiling is a much more prevalent practice than is the case among non-minorities,
Seroka said. By definition, profiling is a personal experience for
many in the minority community.

Of the 60
percent who said they disapproved of the practice, both minorities and
non-minorities deplored racial profiling in high numbers.

Relatively
few Alabamians condone racial or ethnic profiling, said Seroka.
There appears to be strong grassroots support for our state and
local leaders to act firmly and decisively against this practice in the
State as well as in our local communities.

Complete
results of the Ask Alabama poll on Racial Profiling in Law Enforcement
can be found at www.askalabama.org.
The poll had an estimated margin of error of plus or minus four percent.